Animal Science - Meat Animal

Animal Science is an applied science that prepares students for all aspects of farm animal production including feeding, breeding, health, and management as well as the processing of food and fiber products derived from animals. The meat animal emphasis focuses on the production of beef cattle, swine, and sheep.

Our students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to manage livestock enterprises, pursue a career with a business or organization that supports the industry including government regulatory agencies, or continue their education in veterinary or graduate school.

The Meat Animal Emphasis offers three options, which assist students in choosing appropriate course work for their career path:

Science Option: For those interested in graduate work or veterinary medicine the science option includes the necessary hours of chemistry, mathematics, physical and biological sciences.

Minor Option: As an alternative to the Management or Science option, students can pair the Dairy Science major with an academic minor (i.e. minor in Ag Business or Modern Languages) to develop a more in-depth understanding of a second area of interest.

Hands-On Experience

CAFES maintains two laboratory teaching farms. Both the Mann Valley Farm and the Campus Farm are heavily utilized for course work by the Animal Science faculty and offer heated indoor space on-site where classes, workshops and contests and conducted. These farms include dairy, beef, swine, sheep, poultry and equine enterprises.

Valuable practical experience in animal production may be gained by obtaining a job at one of the laboratory farms. Students work with dairy, equine, or livestock enterprises supported by work study, student assistant or research funds. Opportunities also exist for junior or senior level students to experience a higher level of responsibility by managing the beef, swine or sheep enterprises at the laboratory farms.

In addition, the Animal and Food Science Department operates an on-campus dairy manufacturing plant and a fully-equipped meat processing facility where students learn the skills, techniques and safety/health regulations they need for a career in the animal foods processing industry.

Both the farms and the pilot plants provide an opportunity for students to engage in hands-on activity, helping our graduates easily transition into the working world.